Monkton News
Swordsman Philip enjoys more success at National Championships
Philip Marsh continued his successful run of results by finishing a fine fifth in the men's epee at the British Senior National Fencing Championships in Sheffield last week. The Bath Sword Club member was delighted with the result which came after he reached the quarter-finals, and is now recognised as a consistently high performer at adult as well as junior level. Philip has just finished a second year in the Great Britain under 17 cadet team finishing as the UK number one cadet. He achieved a third and fifth position in international competitions and also represented the under 20 team abroad. He has also been selected to represent England at the Commonwealth Championships. Very well done to Philip.
Holocaust Survivor Freddie Knoller visits Monkton
Freddie Knoller signing a copy of his book - Living with the Enemy
Auschwitz survivor Freddie Knoller gave a talk to a group of Monkton students about his experiences in the notorious concentration camp. The pupils couldn't help but be inspired by his remarakable stories. Some of the comments from the Year 9 pupils are noted below:
Awesome, Gripping, Emotional, Graphic, Entertaining, Moving and shocking,
Really good to see it from a living person’s point of view rather than from a textbook
Pretty good at answering all our questions
Nice guy and good at explaining what happened in way we could understand
Surprised by his age – he was energetic and made you want to listen – didn’t seem to be 89
Fun, especially when referring to his ‘naughty’ moments as he was growing up.
Impossible not to respect him – inspirational – really powerful story and experiences
He was very modest about all the things he achieved – like escaping from St Cyprien and surviving at Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen.
Would recommend that other people listen to him.
Many thanks to Freddie for coming to visit.
Monkton Welcomes Lebanese Evangelical School
Monkton Senior has opened its doors to a group of students from the Lebanese Evangelical School. The school is based in Tyre, in Southern Lebanon about 50 miles from Beirut. For some students this is the very first time they have left their homes but they have all settled well into Monkton life and are busy attending lessons and exploring London and Bath.
The trip is very much a family affair and has been organised by the Headmaster Nigel White. Nigel is an Old Monktonian and his sister-in-law Rachel Glasgow is Houseparent at Nutfield. Interestingly Nigel, who grew up in Lebanon, attended the sixth form back in 1984 whilst his parents were busy running one of the four Lebanese Evangelical Trust schools. His brother has now taken over as Headmaster of his father’s school.
Nigel is thrilled with the way the visit has gone so far: “It is a great opportunity for these 12 young people, some Lebanese and some Palestinian living in Lebanon, to learn about all aspects of life in the UK by joining in the life of Monkton for these last three weeks of term. Being assigned "shadows" is a great way for them to interact with people of their own age of another culture. Everyone at Monkton has been so helpful and kind, our students have been bowled over by the friendliness and hospitality they have been shown. A big "thank you" to Andy and Rachel Glasgow for all their hard work in making this trip possible and also to Principal Richard Backhouse for his support in allowing this to go ahead.”
